Dischidia Plant Care

Dischidias are a large group of epiphytic plants native to southeast Asia. Also sometimes called the ant plant, dischidias have a unique relationship with the insects -- ants use the plant's balloon-like leaves as shelter. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, these attractive and interesting plants are often cultivated indoors in cooler climates.

Planting Medium

Epiphytic plants are sometimes called air plants because they often attach themselves to the bark high on a tree or to the rocky face of a cliff. They get their nutrients from dust and bits of bark that fall from the tree and from the humid air. For this reason, you should not grow your dischidia in heavy potting soil. Instead, plant your dischidia in a loose, well-draining medium designed for epiphytic plants; it is usually composed of coconut husk or shredded bark.

Light

The dense forest canopy of southeast Asia does not allow much light to penetrate all layers of the forest. Many tropical plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight. Exposing your dischidia to direct sunlight will scorch the tender leaves, but on the other hand, the plants do need light to bloom and produce food. The best place for your dischidia is one where it will be exposed to bright but indirect sunlight, such as in a west-, east- or south-facing window.

Water and Humidity

Too much water in the planting medium will cause the delicate roots of this plant to rot, so water only about every two or three days. To be safe, let the planting medium dry out slightly between each watering. An easy way to water air plants is to submerge the container in water until the bark is wet. Water in the air is also important. Dischidias are native to the humid tropical forests of Asia and need high humidity. Mist the plant when you water it or run a humidifier next to the plant for an hour or two each day.

Other Considerations

Add a support structure for your plant to climb. Although they will trail over the sides of a container, they prefer to climb and will twine up a piece of string or the wire of a hanging basket. In the wild, they climb up the bark of their host trees.